Cottonfield Capers (Witmark, 1901)
Cottonfield Capers is reminiscent of Levee Revels and Plantation Pastimes. As musicologist Ed Berlin pointed out during the early drafting of my Ragtime Ephemeralist article (2002 issue), O'Hare again uses irregular strains, perhaps because he is preserving a folk melody. Cottonfield Capers opens in minor mode with a 13-measure A strain and shifts to major within the first two four-measure phrases. Instead of continuing with the expected third and fourth four-measure phrases, O'Hare ends the strain with a five-measure codetta, which continues and emphasizes the shift from D minor to F major. Strain A is the most folksy of the four strains and includes the tune's ragtime syncopation--the so-called "cakewalk rhythm" typically found in such pieces as Kerry Mills' At a Georgia Campmeeting.
Witmark advertisement, Music Trade Review, 1902
The Cottonfield Capers sheet music includes an inconsistency between the cover and the first music page with the subtitle varying between ""A Carolina Frolic" and "A Kentucky Coon-Hop."
Cover with inscription "Dedicated with Permission to John Philip Sousa" and "A Car'lina Frolic" subtitle
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Page 1 with description "A Kentucky Coon-Hop," the subtitle also used on string arrangements of the folk rag.
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O'Hare's manuscript arrangement for Sousa, autographed on every page, has been preserved in the John Philip Sousa Archive, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Portion of conductor's score; full score for Sousa's band courtesy of the late Phyllis Danner, archivist, John Philip Sousa Archives
O'Hare's Cottonfield Capers performed during Louisiana Day, Pan-American Exposition, Buffalo, New York, Aug. 21, 1901; source: Pan-American Exposition of 1901, University at Buffalo Libraries. A picture of Phinney's United States Band can be found by clicking on the preceding website name, then on the "Band" link and scrolling down the page.
Music program cover, Pan American Exposition, 1901
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Plaza Band-Stand where Cottonfield Capers was performed, Pan American Exposition
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Department Store concert, Seattle, WA, 1901
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In Haverly's Minstrel's 1903 repertoire, filled with Witmark arrangements; Hornell, NY
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District of Columbia Concert, 1909
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Columbia band recording; posted to YouTube by WHEELGUN357
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John Remmers playing Cottonfield Capers at the Sutter Creek Ragtime Festival (2007); posted to YouTube by Keeper1st
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The Ragtime Skedaddlers playing Cottonfield Capers, arranged by Witmark's T. P. Trinkaus for string band (Witmark, 1903); posted CDbaby.
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Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra playing Cottonfield Capers; recording provided by Rodney Sauer, Mont Alto, performance copyrighted by Mont Alto
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Recordings: John Remmers has recorded Cottonfield Capers on his Hand-Played CD (2007), and Jack and Chris Bradshaw perform their duo version on their CD Takes 2 (2006). Both have been available from cdbaby.com, and Take2 also from Amazon. In 2014, The Ragtime Skedaddlers issued their CD The Latest Popular Mandolin and Guitar Music, which includes the group's recording sold by CDbaby. You can also purchase the individual Cottonfield Capers track or complete CD by clicking here.
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Opening of first mandolin part, mandolin orchestra arrangement, Witmark, 1903
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Opening of banjo solo arrangement, Witmark, 1903
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Cottonfield Capers recording, the Climax Band.
Down Georgia (Witmark, 1902)
Despite the cover and title, Down Georgia departs from the folk rag style Levee Revels, Plantation Pastimes, and Cottonfield Capers. It is an unsyncopated march and two-step.
A 1903 New York Telegraph article about M.Witmark & Sons lists Down Georgia, along with Levee Revels, as one of O'Hare's and the firm's instrumental successes.
A 1903 New York Telegraph article about M.Witmark & Sons lists Down Georgia, along with Levee Revels, as one of O'Hare's and the firm's instrumental successes.
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From title page of the manuscript arrangement for Sousa's band, courtesy of John Philip Sousa Archives
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The first page of the published sheet music bears O'Hare's dedication to one of the best-loved composers of the early twentieth century--Victor Herbert.
A New York reporter interviewing O'Hare during the 1920s lets O'Hare tell his own story of his first encounter with Herbert, a fellow Irishman eight years his senior: Meeting him was one of my ambitions. He was playing at Manhattan Beach and I decided to go out and introduce myself. In the intermission I managed to get a friend to introduce us. 'Mr. Herbert,' I said boldly, 'I've got a piece I want you to play.' He laughed. 'Bring it around some time,' he said. 'I've got it right here,' I replied. He laughed again. 'Have it arranged for me and I'll look at it,' he came back. 'It's all arranged for you now,' I said. The conclusion to O'Hare's anecdote demonstrates that a combination of guts and preparation paid off:
He laughed once more, took it, and not long afterward he played it. |
Opening measures of Down Georgia with dedication to Victor Herbert
Victor Herbert (1859-1924)
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Opening of 1st mandolin part, string band arrangement, Witmark, 1903
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Opening of banjo solo arrangement, Witmark, 1903
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In addition to O'Hare's amusing anecdote about meeting Victor Herbert, he commented on Herbert's career and greatness:
He was a great man, Victor Herbert. As a musician he was one of the best of his time; as an orchestrator, he probably had no peer in his day, certainly as far as comic opera was concerned. He was a man of temperament, as are all geniuses, but he was a jolly, genial human being above all else.
He was always eager to help others, as are all great musicians. In all my experience, I have found such men gladly pass on to others the things they have learned. Perhaps this is one of the reasons they are great.
Piqua, Ohio, 1903
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Down Georgia as concert finale by Tacoma band at the 1905 state fair; for Ky-isses(1904), see below.
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Music Trade Review
Background graphic, top of page: detail from Cottonfield Capers cover